Last Thursday night saw our Leinster Senior side entertain league leaders Larkview Boys at Whitegates. Going into the game the lads sat in second place eight points behind the leaders with four games in hand. With the lads having won ten games on the bounce, nine in the league and one in the cup, confidence was high. And it showed as the lads romped to a 4-0 win, Aidan Small set them on their way after seven minutes when he got on the end of a corner to finish in a crowed area. The lads had Rossa Marron and David O’Connor to thank for preserving their lead, firstly Marron saved well down low from a free kick and then David O’Connor made a last ditch challenge to deny what looked a certain goal. This is as close as the away team came as Rovers totally dominated the half creating several half chances. On the half hour mark Ciaran McGettigan made it 2-0 when he got on the end of a Peter Finnegan free to coolly slot home. The second half was more of the same with Rovers on the front foot, an Aidan Small effort looked to be heading to the net but it came crashing off the inside of the post and away to safety. Tommy Smullen made it 3-0 when he smashed home after a good move involving Ciaran McGettigan and Dylan Orr. The lads wrapped up the points when David Rowan rose highest to thunder a header home from a corner for the fourth. Ciaran McGettigan, Rikki Quinn and Aidan Small all had further chances to add to the tally. This was a good all round team performance on the night with Tommy Smullen edging it for the man of the match accolade. Tommy was influential in all Rovers attacking play while always on hand to help out his defence, he was busy throughout and topped off an excellent performance with a well taken goal. The lads second game was away to another of their fellow title contenders Ayrfield United and unfortunately for the lads their long winning run came to an end with a 3-2 defeat against a tough Ayrfield side. The home side went in front from the penalty spot but the lads levelled ten minutes before the break when David O’Connor also netted from a spot kick. Just before the interval the home side regained the lead to go in at the break 2-1 up. The lads came out and battled all the way in search of an equaliser but found Ayrfield a tough nut to crack. The home side nabbed a third twenty minutes from time, but Rovers never gave up. Rovers did pull one back four minutes from time through Mick Delaney but unfortunately there wasn’t enough time on the clock to get a leveller. The lads are back in action on Thursday night with a home game against another title contender Kilbarrack United, lets hope we can get back to winning ways.
Our Wicklow League side had a good 7-1 win against a very much understrength Rathnew side on Sunday. The lads played some neat and tidy football on the day and were clinical in front of goal with some excellent finishing. James Lang and Jamie Power both fired home a brace a piece, Hugh Humby, Jack Crowley and Alan Power all added singles in what was a good all round team performance. The lads are next out away to Avonmore B in the last sixteen of the Wicklow Cup on Wednesday night [tonight] with a 7pm kick off. Then they are away to Newtown United on Sunday morning in the Jim McLaughlin Cup with a 11.30am kick off.
Our under 17’s recorded a good 2-1 win away to second placed Coolboy Rangers in the youths league. Playing some good football from the start the lads went in front when Michael Cassidy got on the end of a Sean Murphy cross to fire to the net. Michael Cassidy made it 2-0 shortly after to put Rovers in the driving seat. The home side came more into it in the second half and scored what proved to be a consolation goal midway through the half, but the lads held out for a deserving win.
The under 16’s lost 3-1 at home to Carnew at Whitegates on Saturday, they were 1-0 down after twenty four seconds and things got worse at the midway point when the away side doubled their lead. The second half saw Rovers come more into the game and they created several openings. Both teams scored a goal a piece in the second period with Finn Dunne firing in the Rovers goal.
The club’s Saturday morning academy is back up and running, it runs every Saturday at Whitegates and caters for girls and boys from the age of 3 years old to 7 years old. It takes place from 11 to 12 every Saturday morning weather permitting. The academy is run by the club’s experienced coach Johnny Dunne and it prepares the kids for the introduction to organised football in the years to come while also having fun. No registration required, just come along to whatever Saturdays suit you.
The club will be holding an EGM on Monday the 7th of September, it will take place in the Wicklow Parish Hall in the old De La Salle school. The EGM is to discuss the amendments to the club constitution and ratify as required. This meeting is solely for the club constitution. Please arrive early as meeting will be starting at 8pm sharp.
